Pan-demonium

I just watched the trailer for the new movie Pan, which will be released this October.

I do plan to see it, because I've always been enamored with the story, but I am not quite sure what to make of this version yet.

It appears to be a prequel, but rather than revealing the backstory of Peter himself, it reveals the backstory of Captain Hook.

Now, we already know the obvious about him (like how he got his hook), and in 1927, Barrie revealed more about the infamous pirate in his speech. For example, he is an alumnus of Eton College, the prestigious boarding school responsible for educating Prime Ministers, Royalty, and a number of other prominent figures in history. In that address, Barrie informed his audience that Hook was quite intellectual, and one of the more accomplished students in his class. His aunt described him as a sensitive young boy, and opines that his canings at the hands of headmasters contributed to his cruelty that led to his infamy.

I didn't see any of these qualities in the Hook portrayed in this upcoming film. It's difficult for me to imagine how the Hook we see (played by Garrett Hedlund) is going to evolve into the classic Captain Hook we all know.

 

I admit I've always had a bit of a crush on the Captain, and I've written a couple blog posts on different incarnations of him in film and television; my main complaint is that none of them seem evil enough. The new Hook doesn't even look the part though:

 

 

I understand that this Hook is supposed to be younger, and thus he hasn't grown into this appearance yet, but what's with the pretty boy wearing the khaki colored outfit?





 

He looks more like Indiana Jones than a future fearsome foe.

 

At least the Hook we see in the Once Upon a Time series (played by Colin O'Donoghue) looks more like how someone so dark and mysterious could have appeared in his younger days:

 

 

Dark hair is more true to Barrie's text; in the novel Peter and Wendy, Hook is described as having long dark curls which look like "black candles" at a distance. And his clothing is very elegant as well, which confirms his pedigree and gentlmanliness.

 

However, I do credit to this new adaptation for expanding upon one particular part of the Hook legend. The good Captain began his pirating career as "boatswain to Blackbeard", and this film promises more explanation of that characteristic.

 

What do you think of the trailer?